Year of the Pig

Newsweek gathered 8 interesting facts about Chinese New Year and are posted below.

Gung Hay Fat Choy – traditional Chinese New Year Greeting

Today, February 5, 2019 kicks off the Year of the Pig. Each lunar cycle in China is comprised of 60 years, with every 12 year period defined as a small cycle. Each of those 12 years is represented by an animal: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig.

The Year of the Pig is the twelfth sign of the Chinese zodiac and it signifies wealth and prosperity. According to legend, people share some personality traits with the animal that represents the year they were born in.

China is not the only country to celebrate Chinese New Year. The holiday is observed in Hong Kong, Taiwan, Vietnam, Singapore and other Asian countries. In Vietnam, for example, the holiday is known as Yet Nguyen Dan.

The celebration around Chinese New Year lasts 15 days and concludes with the Lantern Festival.

People celebrate with a reunion dinner on Chinese New Year’s Eve, which lands on February 4 this year, with their families. After the reunion dinner, families watch the CCTV New Year’s Gala.

This last fun fact sounds awfully familiar. I wonder what CCTV’s answer to team Anderson & Cohen is.

Were you born in a lunar year of the pig?

If you were born in one of the following years, you were born in a lunar year of the pig. 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019 and 2031

The Pig is the twelfth of all zodiac animals. According to one myth, the Jade Emperor said the order would be decided by the order in which they arrived to his party. Pig was late because he overslept. Another story says that a wolf destroyed his house. He had to rebuild his home before he could set off. When he arrived, he was the last one and could only take twelfth place.

The Pig is also associated with the Earthly Branch (??—dì zh?) hài (?), and the hours 9–11 in the night. In terms of yin and yang (??—y?n yáng), the Pig is yin. In Chinese culture, pigs are the symbol of wealth. Their chubby faces and big ears are signs of fortune as well.

Pigs might not stand out in a crowd. But they are very realistic. Others may be all talk and no action. Pigs are the opposite.

Though not wasteful spenders, they will let themselves enjoy life. They love entertainment and will occasionally treat themselves. They are a bit materialistic, but this is motivation for them to work hard. Being able to hold solid objects in their hands gives them security.

They are energetic and are always enthusiastic, even for boring jobs. If given the chance, they will take positions of power and status. They believe that only those people have the right to speak, and that’s what they want.

Find more fascinating facts about the year of the pig from the Chinese Zodiac website here.